Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Andhra
Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is located on the spectacular coastline of Bay of Bengal, irrigated by the river Godavari and is aptly termed the Rice Granary of India. Andhra is the third-largest state of India. The land that presents a beautiful amalgamation of varied cultures, traditions, historical sites, monuments, religious temples, prosperous flora and fauna, picturesque hill-stations, cascading waterfalls, gleaming lakes, lofty hills and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. This state is known as the 'Rice Bowl of India’. Andhra Pradesh comprises diverse styles of temples. The Chalukyan, Nagara, Dravidian, and the Orissa sculpture are seen in the edifice of temples in this southern state. Tirupati is one of the riches temples of the world, millions of pilgrims come to pray here throughout the year.

Andhra is also known for nomadic tribes, Banjaras and Lambadis. These tribes can be found here, they are especially recognized for their brightly coloured attire and the silver jewellery they use to sell. Due to this, Andhra is famous for melting pot of various handicrafts, made by skilled crafts men. The famous the Pochamapalli silks and Kalamkari vegetable dyed textiles, are quite popular and originated from this land.

Enriched with Indian history, art and culture, Andhra Pradesh is a flourishing land for tourism, there are more than 500 tourist places situated here. The architectural ruins recall the history of about 2000 years. Nagarjunasagar Dam is the pride of Andhra Pradesh, being the biggest masonry dam in the world. The state is blessed with variety of traditions, religion, cultures. The soil of this land, where most popular art dance form of Kuchipudi, was originated. The tourists should witness a performance of ‘Kuchipudi’, the amazing Indian classical dance, a dynamic choreography and is somewhat parallel to one the popular Bharatanatyam traditional dance.

Rivers like Godavari and Krishna traverse through the expanse of Andhra Pradesh, offering sparkling waters to the state and adding beauty to this wonderful land. Hyderabad, its capital city, is also known as second Silicon Valley of India. The city has a dualistic disposition and whether you visit markets and shops, sights or public places; you will find the blend of Hindu and Muslim living and culture in their own way. The state's journey, from the ancient to the modern times, makes it better-off in its outlook.

The state Andhra Pradesh quite popular for traditional and rich cuisine, offers a rich palate to the gourmet. Hyderabadi Muslims are quite recognized and fastidious in their culinary art, specialise in authentic Mughlai and Indian recipes, and endure throughout centuries. Here Kababs, Biryanis and Chicken delicacies are really mouth watering.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the second Silicon Valley of the India, the city of Charminar and capital of Andhra Pradesh, the city was meant to be a symbol of the might of the Qutab Shahi rulers. Hyderabad founded in the late 6th century by Qutab Shahi dynasty, modelled after Isfaan in Iran, the city had been completed in 1592. Hyderabad was complimented with lavish praises from many known travelers like Abbe Carr and Tavernier. Hyderabad is also the city of rich and majestic Nizams, one of the richest city of India for hordes of diamonds, gold, precious stones and pearls, also known for culture, heritage monuments, temples, arts and crafts, wonderful and mosques with Saracenic, Mughal and Colonial architecture, reflecting splendid and unique architectural richness, rarely found in any other Indian city.

The city with a rich culture and history of 400 years, Hyderabad has many fascinating sites. Hyderabad most popular Nizam Asif Jahi Dynasty and seven generation of this Nizam family ruled the Deccan for 224 years up to 1948. Hyderabad in Indian history is also known as Deccan. The Nizam of Hyderabad were very fond of art and culture and archaeological buildings and historical monuments. The most interesting and tourist attractions are: The famous Charminar focus of the city and dominating monuments of this land others are Osmania University, Purani Haveli, Chow Mahalla Palace, Assembly Building, Jubilee Hall, Asifia Library, High Court, Hussain Sagar, Salar Jung Museum, Osmania Hospital, and all archeological buildings located in Public Garden.

The area exhibits undulating topography with number of huge water tanks and mountains. The height ranging between 500 - 600 meters. There are quite hilly areas like Banjara, Jubilee, Nawabat Pahad, Golconda, Tirumalagiri and Moula Ali are main hill ranges, Mir Alam and Hussain Sagar are popular tanks located in main city. Hussain Sagar tank is located in the heart of the city bifurcates between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. There is famous Musi River passing through the main city in an easterly direction.

The medieval age was the period of great artistic and architectural growth and era in South India, specifically the region of Deccan. The mighty Golconda Fort was the command centre of Qutab Shahi reign, during the 16th and 17th century before Mughal emperor Aurangzeb came to invade the region. Warangal was the capital of Kakatiyas and they built great and wonderful monuments to as a symbol their power and dignity. During that time Bidar was the capital of mighty Bahamani Empire and this was in area of Nagarjunakonda, reveals Buddhist influence during that era.

Today, Hyderabad is flourishing and developing city with sizable business and productions of Cotton and silk textiles, paper, pottery, cigarettes, glassware and presently a centre of IT technology and call centres.

Vijayawada earlier known as ‘Bezawada’ is the 3rd largest city in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada means "City of Victory" it is believed that Prince Arjuna, among 5 mighty brothers of Mahabhart epic, Arjuna was rewarded for his penance, which he carried out on the hills of Indrakiladri. The city is located on the bank of beautiful river Krishna. And bounded Budameru River on the North and Indrakila mountains on the West. Vijayawada lies in the coastal delta of the Andhra Pradesh and quite known for its spicy and deliciously varied recipe and cuisine. The most delicious and juicy mangoes farm houses are located here and therefore the city is known for pickle making.

Today, with excellent communications, perhaps the best in the South where railways are concerned, Vijayawada is steeping up towards an exciting journey of growth. A predominantly trade and business city of the Andhra State, Vijayawada attracts many pilgrims as well for its popular holy temple dedicated to Durra. The city is also reflect Buddhist excavations at Amaravati, which around 70 kms from the main city. There are quite popular towns and villages nearby Vijayawada mainly Kuchipudi, Kondapalli and Mangalagiri which are famous for culture, traditions, dance, and handicrafts among the tourists. So in all means, the city Vijayawada presents a colourful and diverse images of present and past.

A popular landmark is the Prakasam barrage, the 1223 meters. Long contemporary regulator and bridge across the Krishna River, this was built in 1957. Its panoramic lake and the three canals that runs through the city, representing Vijayawada, a Venetian manifestation.

Warangal was the ancient capital of the Kakatiya rulers.
It was here that the fort was constructed by king Ganapathi
in 1199 A.D and completed by Rudramadevi in the year 1261.
The thousand pillard temple with its star shaped shrines
dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya, the famous Ramappa
temple & lake, the Pakhal lake are worth visiting. It
is known for Thousand Pillar Temple. A fine specimen of
Kakatiya architecture and sculpture, the Thousand Pillar
temple as the name implies has many pillars, all efficient
carved. The temple is built in Chalukyan Style. The Nandi
here has beautiful finishing.

Lapped by the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern part of Andhra
Pradesh lies the beach city, Vishakapatnam. Ages ago there
stood a temple on the shores dedicated to Vaisaka, the
God of Valour in the Hindu pantheon. The mighty sea has
since swept away the shrine, but the name survived for
identifying the now sprawling City of Visakhapatnam.

Tirupati is one of the important pilgrim centre in India.
It is famous for the shrine of the seven hills, dedicated
to Lord Venkateshwara, of Tirumala- 13 kms. The principal
deity of this temple is Lord Venkateswara also known as
Balaji. The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture
with its gopuram facing east. The vimana is completely
covered with gold plate and this is known as Ananda Nilayam.
The statues of Krishnadevaraya and his consort can be
seen in the temple. The Brahmostavam or annual festival
is celebrated in September. Akasaganga Waterfalls,Papanasam
Waterfalls, Varahaswamy Temple, Perumallapalli.

Nagarjunasagar - the tallest and biggest masonry dam in
the world accross the river Krishna, is about 150 kms,
away from the metropolitan city of Hyderabad. It creates
the third largest man-made lake in the world. Nearby Nagarjunakonda
is known for its extensive ruins of Buddhist Stupas, Viharas
and a university that flourished under Acharya Nagarjuna,
the great Buddhist savant, scholar and philosopher who
migrated to Nagarjunakonda from Amaravati to spread the
message of the Buddha.

Interestingly excavations
conducted here have also revealed Brahmanical temples,
which reveal the friendship that existed here centuries
ago between the two faiths. Now though the actual site
of the excavations have been flooded with the waters of
the migty river, the relies of the ruins have been reconstructed
and kept in an Island Museum, the largest of its kind
in the world and are in an excellent state of preservation-thanks
to the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Today Nagarjunakonda along with Nagarjunasagar attracts
many tourists from South East Asian Countries and also
from all over India.

The temple at Srisailam is dedicated to Lord Shiva and
is considered as one of his twelve Jyotirlingas. Srisailam,
also known as Sriparvata is situated in the Rishabgiri
Hills on the Southern banks of the river Krishna in Kurnool
district of Andhra Pradesh. Mention of Srisailam as Sriparvata
has been made in the immortal epic of the Hindus - the
"Mahabharata".

South India travel agents and tour operators offers holidays and trip packages to explore Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu, we are specialized to work out tailor made tours according to the nos of days for travel according to the preference destinations of the guest, our tour planning is excusive with proper routing, sightseeing places, inter city travel guide, and all kind of travel related services like car rental, hotel bookings, English speaking guide, ticketing. You can mail us the nos. of person travelling together, nos of days for the trip, travel period and preferred hotel category, enable us to work the tour plan accordingly. To know more about the details tour programme of each tourism sector of India please visit at: link: http://www.india-tourism.net/itineraries.htm,
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